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The New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force 10th Annual Conference - Sheraton Old Town Inn, Albuquerque, NM, March 18-19, 2004. "Advanced Concepts in Breastfeeding: Researching, Educating, and Legislating...the Role of the LC." For information, visit www.breastfeedingnewmexico.org/meeting.html or contact Jacie Coryell at 505-293-5215 or jacie@swcp.com.
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A Health Care Professional Conference for Continuing Educatio - Hilton Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA, May 28 - 30, 2004. "Breastfeeding in Today's World." Hosted by the La Leche League of So. California/Nevada. Visit www.lalecheleaguescnv.org. La Leche League International 32nd Annual Seminar for Physicians on Breastfeeding - Hyatt Regency Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, July 26-28, 2004. "Breastfeeding: A Baby's Right, A Physician's Responsibility." Visit www.lalecheleague.org/ed/PhysSem04.html or contact Sally Murphy at (847) 519-7730 ext. 218 or SMurphy@llli.org. Making Breastfeeding the NORM: Clinical, Social & Political Challenges - Holiday Inn on the Bay, San Diego, California, August 20-21, 2004. Featuring: Tieraona Low Dog, MD; Thomas Hale, RPh, PhD; Molly Pessl, BSN, IBCLC; Audrey Naylor, MD, DrPH, FABM; Lawrence M. Gartner, MD; Yvonne Vaucher ,MD, MPH; Eyla Boies, MD; Nancy Wight, MD, IBCLC, FABM. Sponsored by Children's Hospital San Diego in association with the San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition. Full brochure/registration form at: www.breastfeeding.org. For more information contact Nancy Wight, MD, program chair, or Carol Brown, conference manager at 858-541-4185 or carol.brown@sharp.com. |
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Eve Moeran, RN, IBCLC There is so much concern about making mothers feel guilty if they do not breastfeed. However, perhaps the saddest guilt is the mother who tried and was unsuccessful due to insufficient milk supply, only to be told by well-meaning individuals: "Well, if you hadn't introduced formula this wouldn't have happened". We need to be kind and considerate to each other, especially as we rarely know the circumstances. It may turn out the cause of low milk supply was entirely beyond the mother's control.
We suspect formula companies are making every effort to keep the government funded National Awareness campaign themed "Babies were born to breastfeed" from getting underway. The goal is to increase the numbers of mothers who breastfeed by illustrating the risks of not breastfeeding.
From the words of Dr. Lawrence Gartner, "We have 25 years or more on the research of the benefits of breastfeeding. We don't tell parents the benefits of car seats; we tell them studies indicate if you do not use a car seat a baby has a greater chance of being killed or injured in an accident. Thousands of lives are saved every year because of this. We do not hesitate now to discuss the risks of smoking". These are all health issues, as is the risk of not breastfeeding.
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Breastfeeding is a public health issue, not just a lifestyle choice. When presented as such by the medical profession, mothers are more likely to choose breastfeeding as the best option for themselves and their infants.
Children who are not exclusively breastfed for 6 months or more are:
Our goal as healthcare providers is to help mothers begin and enjoy breastfeeding until they find the magic of successful breastfeeding. |
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